Washington County gets good news regarding Fort Ritchie appeal Julie E. Greene Herald Mail Media Washington County has cleared a hurdle in its planned sale of much of the former Fort Ritchie property. But whether it is the last hurdle isn't known. The Maryland Court of Special Appeals, in an opinion filed Thursday, affirmed a decision by a Washington County Circuit Court judge to dismiss Craig Mahrle's lawsuit challenging the county's sale of the property. Mahrle's attorney, Edward Tolchin, said Monday that his client has up to 45 days to appeal the decision if he chooses to do so. Mahrle, of Sabillasville, Md., did not return requests for comment.